Carolyn Hax: Work-stress-dumping problem has become a marital problem

One spouse needs to offload works stress out loud, and the other "can't handle being [a] stress recycling bin any longer." ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Advice to help you tackle life's problems.     (Nick Galifianakis for The Post) Work-stress-dumping problem has become a marital problem Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: My work, in a health-care field, is stressful to the point that I'm nearly breaking down in tears every day, and doing it isolated and from home hasn't helped. I no longer have co-workers to vent to or walk around the block with, and instead I'm offloading everything onto my wife. Today she knocked on my office door with a simple question ("I'm heating up leftover Chinese, want some?"). I started offloading about my latest stress, and after what felt like 20 seconds to me, she informed me that I'd actually been talking for 20 minutes straight, and that I do this multiple times a day. She's told me she can't handle being my stress recycling bin any longer. I get that — she's also working full time from home and she's six months pregnant — but I really need to process things externally. My wife tends to process stress on her own, by playing with the cat or going for a walk, and she's not sympathetic to how much I need to talk. How can I stop driving her crazy? — Stress Spillover Read Carolyn's Response     Answer this week's reader question Here's your chance to channel your inner Carolyn Hax and respond to a reader question. ADVERTISEMENT   Should I post about the daughter I placed for adoption? Submit your advice to this Carolyn Hax reader question. Read more »     Want more? Carolyn's been writing her advice column for two decades. Explore the archives below. His anger issues aren't the only problem Read more »   When people see a rainbow family through the prism of arrogance Read more »   Partner must stand on their own two feet before taking next steps Read more »     We think you'll like this newsletter Check out Lean & Fit for expert advice on how to eat right, get lean and stay fit, including curated healthy recipes every Wednesday. Sign up »

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